AFC Takes Swipe At Media Over Pawlett

08 May 2013 05:11

Aberdeen will not appeal Peter Pawlett's 'diving' ban, citing the fruitlessness of such an action after the youngster's "trial by television".

Pawlett was tripped in the box and correctly awarded a penalty by referee Alan Muir during the match against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday.

Glasgow-based public-funded media outlet BBC Scotland orchestrated a witch-hunt against Pawlett that afternoon, which continued into the evening.

The campaign continued in the following day's central belt-based newspapers, the flames being fanned by Rangers cheerleader and Dundee manager John Brown, and eventually led the SFA to issue a notice of complaint to Aberdeen.

And today AFC has announced that it will not appeal the two-match ban issued to Pawlett due to the circumstances surrounding the penalty decision and in an attempt to protect the player.

A Dons spokesperson said: "The action the club has taken does in no way mean we are not backing our player. While there was undoubtedly contact in the incident, we feel we would rather draw a line under the situation.

"The trial by television and subsequent coverage in sections of the media had almost sealed Peter's fate and as a result it was felt an appeal would have been fruitless."